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Dr Teakle said the cat would probably require more surgery down the track to help the skin close over.

The cat is being temporarily looked after by a nurse from the clinic until she either finds a new home or is claimed by her owners.

RSPCA regional inspector Alistair Hills said this was the first case he had come across on the Northern Rivers in 12 years.

"Something like this is just a direct form of animal abuse," he said.

"A lot of animal abuse is ignorance or laziness. Intentional outright abuse is avery small minority."

In February this year, a three-month-old tabby cat was found taped up inside a tiny box and abandoned outside Shaw's Veterinary Clinic at Ballina.

The box was about the size of a ream of paper and held together with duct tape.

Can you help?

The RSPCA is still looking for the burnt cat's owner and the offender. Anyone with information regarding its home, or who may be behind this crime, can contact the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 3589).